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Mining Permits

A person must obtain a mining permit if they are removing coal or noncoal minerals (including topsoil) for commercial use (sale/trade/financial gain). Mining permits are reviewed and issued from the respective District Mining Office for where the site is located.

Application forms can be found on DEP’s eLibrary under the Permit and Authorization Packages – Mining Programs.

All applications can be submitted through the OnBase digital upload.

Where indicated, the Greenport ePermitting option should be used.

Coal Permitting

Anthracite Surface Mine Permit5600-PM-BMP0343
Anthracite Underground Mine Permit5600-PM-BMP0321
Bituminous Surface Mine PermitePermitting and 5600-PM-BMP0311
Bituminous Underground Mine, Coal Preparation Plant, and/or Coal Refuse Disposal Area Permit5600-PM-BMP0324
Incidental Coal Extraction5600-PM-BMP0165
Notice of Intent to Explore ePermitting and 5600-FM-BMP0092
Government Financed Construction Contract (GFCC) 5600-FM-BMP0307
GFCC Small Short Term Refuse Removal 5600-FM-BMP0434

The following Chapters of Title 25 Environmental Protection of the Pennsylvania Code provide the regulatory basis for surface and underground coal mining and reclamation in Pennsylvania:

Noncoal Permitting

Large Noncoal (Industrial Minerals) Mine Permit 5600-PM-BMP0315
Small Noncoal (Industrial Minerals) Mine Permit 5600-PM-BMP0316
BMP GP-103 Short Term Construction Project 5600-PM-BMP0004
BMP GP-105 General Permit for Bluestone 5600-PM-BMP0027
BMP GP-106 General Permit for Reclamation of Forfeited Noncoal Mines 5600-PM-BMP0454
Noncoal Notice of Intent to Explore (Drilling only) 5600-FM-BMP0151
Noncoal Notice of Intent to Explore 5600-FM-BMP0152

The following Chapters of Title 25 Environmental Protection of the Pennsylvania Code provide the regulatory basis for surface and underground noncoal mining and reclamation in Pennsylvania:

Noncoal permit exemptions:

A permit for noncoal mineral extraction is not needed in the following circumstances: building construction activities; or noncommercial use of material by landowner/lessee. Please check with the District Mining Offices for questions about permitting issues. See the following Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs):

NPDES

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are required for activities that generate earth disturbance of one acre or greater. NPDES permits associated with mining permits are issued in conjunction with the mining permit from the District Mining Office.

Individual NPDES associated with mining5600-PM-BMP0032
BMP GP-104 Stormwater discharges associated with mining activities5600-PM-BMP0388

Mining License

A person who intends to mine coal or noncoal minerals must obtain a mine operator’s license from the Department.

Mining License5600-PM-BMP0025

Fees

Application fees and administrative fees are updated via the Fees Associated with Mining Activities webpage.

Additional Information

A Citizen’s Guide to the Mining Permit Application Process

Noncoal Frequently Asked Questions

Email: RA-epminingpermits@pa.gov